The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-29
WHEN HOPE HAD FLED.

taken leave OF your senses, EleanOre.
If you will insist upon such extraordi-
nary philanthrophic moves, pray say
nothing of it in public
Il am not in the habit of parading
any of my moves" said Eleanore, with
heightened color. Laura Chandler
went to Mrs. Lands with work, and
not finding her there, came to meas
| had recommended her-to find out
where she was, and | told her that
Mrs. Lands was here, and quite i'll. "
''And what does she do" exclaimed
Clara with angry vehemence, ''but go
about telling how YOU have taken
your seamstress in, and are nursing
her Do you intend to keep her
here instead of sending her TO the hos
pital?"
Il intend that Mrs. Landis shall re-
main here until she is quite recovered"
answered Eleanore.
Like many others, Clara Dart was
soon nodded into a groove that
stronger mind planned and led the way
to. She had been Mortified and scan
dalized at this, more because she had
seen other weak-minded, selfish women
feel so; but now, brought in contact
with EleanOre's independent, warm
hearted spirit, she began to waver, and
presently veered clear round and
adopted a new tack.
lis she pretty, Eleanore? What's
the matter with her?"
mo, cannot say that she is pref
ty," answered Eleanore, too well ac-
quainted with her cousin to be at all
surprised at this new opening. but
she has a sweet, lovely face, and the
most winning manners. She is threat
ened with fever, but having got at it
in time, | think DR.. Stratton can break
it up. The truth of the matter is that
she is utterly broken down with hard
work and grief at the death of her little
girl"
Dear me, what pity!' exclaimed
Clara, promptly adopting her cousins
standpoint.
And then the subject was dropped
to be replaced with a more interesting
one.
"Is Mr. Warwick YOUR escort to-
night?" asked Clara, getting up and
strolling across the room to where a
beautiful pyramid of flowers graced a
light, fancy stand, and filed the air
with fragrance.
Yes; did you ever see more magni-
ficent jacques than those?" asked
| Eleanore.
Never. What small fortune he
must spend on your decorations?
That night, when Mr.. Warwick
came, fearful storm was raging, and
Eleanore said, as she met him in the
drawing-room, radiant and lovely in
her delicate tinted dress, with flashing
steel ornaments in her hair and circling
her slender throat:
'Shall we not pass quiet evening
here in preference to a stormy trip to
the opera? We have both heard Mig
non,' and will lose nothing"
His grave handsome face lighted
eagerly.
IF you are willing it should be so, l
am more than happy" he said, and
then went out to dismiss the carriage.
The evening was passed as many
had been when they were together, in
talking of books, his travels, and odd
experiences in foreign countries. And
when it was half over, they ceased
talking, and she went to the piano to
play for him.
He was passionately fond Of music,
and even if he had not been, it would
have been rare pleasure to sit and
watch her-the delicate high-bred face,
with its sweet, serious, womanly ex-
preston.
a long time passed in this way.
Then suddenly she paused, her hands
dropped from the keys, and just as
suddenly his voice broke the long sill
ence:
'sEleanore, will you be my wife?"
She had known it would come-had
thought it might come that evening
and now turned to face him, a thrill o.
some deep feeling in her lovely face
but as composed and quiet as he.
'Mr. Warwick, why do you ask me
this? You do not love me-"
|, In utmost surprise he lifted his eyes
and searched her face. 1t was no fool
ish coquettish desire to call forth pro
testations of devotion that made he
|, speak so-he knew that; and. meeting
her clear searching eyes, that seemed
J reading his heart, he first colored, thel
J paled.
You do not love me-" repeated
Eleanore, land do not love you. w
are congenial; respect and admiration
are mutual, but neither of US love. An
not right?"
Partly so, partly not" he answer
ed. You know your own heart, bu
you are mistaken; do love you trul
-
. wait" said Eleanore quickly. ''D'
, you love me so that love is foremost
beyond everything in your hearts
that am first; that no memories stan
| between me and the crown your Wit
sho.ld wear in your heart and life?"
! He drew back, paling TO the lip:
, with a quick pain in his eyes an
: trembling in his voice.
why do you question me SOP"
Il do not know; but since hav
known you have been impressed wit
the thought that you have known som
great sorrow-that something in you
past life has cast cloud over you
head that can never be lifted. Have
been wrong?"
For several minutes he sat silent, b
head resting on his hand; then
lifted it and looked at her, and she wa
: grieved and surprised at the draw
e look, and the pallor of intense pal
: resting on his face.
Il NO" he said huskily; ..you al
: right, and l viii tell you all about it
: loved, six years ago, as man ca
love but once in a lifetime. was poo
e then, and the girl loved was rich.
e went west to the mines, determined
make some money, and while there oil
r letters were intercepted, and forgeri'
:, sent In their place. Both of US bein
! angered and hurt, we wrote bitt.
things, and these were allowed 10 pas
J. But loved her-oh. how loved he
= 1t makes my heart ache to rememb
it And at last wrote and begge
I forgiveness, and implored her to wri
to me as of old / never received ar
? answer, and the next heard was tn
she was married. 1t was work or
struction with me then, and / took Il
former. Two years after 1 had fo
tune left me, and together with what
had earned. / was very wealthy.
al II viii not worry you with detail
! had never expected to love anoth
woman; but when / met you, y,
/. soothed me; found so much to a
d mire, to respect, and believe in M
g not love you as did her, but 1 hon
r you want you to be my wife, Al
Is no effort of my life shall be spared
. make you happy"
is Her sweet face was full OF. tend
4 pity as she listened. but as he pause
n someone knocked at the door.and 5
left her seat to answer it.